Editing Video game design (section)

== Game designer ==

A game designer is a person who designs [[gameplay]], conceiving and designing the rules and structure of a [[game]].<ref>[[#SalZim|Salem, Zimmerman 2003]]</ref><ref>[[#Oxland|Oxland 2004]], p. 292</ref><ref>[[#MoNov|Moore, Novak 2010]], p. 74</ref> Multiple designers start their career in testing departments, other roles in game development or in classroom conditions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyfa.edu/game-design-school/|title=Game Design School in New York & Los Angeles - NYFA|website=www.nyfa.edu}}</ref> where mistakes by others can be seen first-hand.<ref>[[#Bates|Bates 2004]], p. 179</ref>

* '''Lead designer''' coordinates the work of other designers and is the main visionary of the game.<ref>[[#Oxland|Oxland 2004]], pp. 292-296</ref><ref name="Bethke40">[[#Bethke|Bethke 2003]], p. 40</ref> Lead designer ensures team communication, makes large design decisions and presents design outside of the team.<ref>[[#Oxland|Oxland 2004]], pp. 293-294</ref> Often the lead designer is technically and artistically astute.<ref>[[#Oxland|Oxland 2004]], pp. 294, 295</ref> Keeping well-presented documentation also falls within the lead designer responsibilities.<ref>[[#Oxland|Oxland 2004]], pp. 295-296</ref> Lead designer may be the founder of a game development company or a promoted employee.
* '''[[Game mechanics]] designer'''<!--as named in ref--> or '''[[systems design]]er''' designs and [[game balance|balances]] the game's rules.<ref name="Bethke40" />
* '''[[Level designer]]''' or '''environment designer''' is a position becoming prominent in recent years.<ref name="Bates 2004, p. 162" /> Level designer is the person responsible for creating game environment, [[level (video gaming)|levels]] and missions.<ref name="MoNov76">[[#MoNov|Moore, Novak 2010]], p. 76</ref><ref name="ShahArt1">[[#ShahArt|Shahrani 2006]], part I</ref><ref name="Oxland296297">[[#Oxland|Oxland 2004]], pp. 296-297</ref><ref>[[#Bethke|Bethke 2003]], pp. 40-41</ref>
* '''Planner''' is a term referring to a game designer in the [[Japanese video game]] industry, where game designers are typically credited as planners.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=JC |title=Working In Japanese Game Development: The Other Side Of The Rainbow |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/working-in-japanese-game-development-the-other-side-of-the-rainbow |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |date=August 20, 2007}}</ref>

=== Compensation ===

In 2010, a game designer with more than six years of experience earned an average of [[United States dollar|US$]]65,000 ({{GBP|44,761.22}} sterling), {{USD|54,000}} ({{GBP|37,186.24}}) with three to six years of experience and $44,000 ({{GBP|30,299.90}}) with less than 3 years of experience. Lead designers earned $75,000 ({{GBP|51,647.56}})  with three to six years of experience and $95,000 ({{GBP|65,420.24}}) with more than six years of experience.<ref>{{cite journal|last = Fleming|first = Jeffrey|date=April 2008|title = 9th Annual Salary Survey|journal = [[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]|volume = 17|issue = 4|page = 8|publisher = [[United Business Media]]}}</ref> In 2013, a game designer with less than 3 years of experience earned, on average, $55,000 ({{GBP|37,874.88}}). A game designer with more than 6 years of experience made, on average, $105,000 ({{GBP|72,306.58}}). The average salary of these designers varies depending on their region.<ref>"[http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/video-gaming-industry-numbers-by-region/ Top Gaming Studios, Schools & Salaries]". [http://www.bigfishgames.com/ Big Fish Games].</ref> As of 2015 the salary of experienced workers has shifted to approximately US$87,000 ({{GBP|59,911.17}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indeed.com/salary/Game-Designer.html|title=Game Designer Salaries in the United States - Indeed.com|website=www.indeed.com}}</ref> As of January 17, 2020, the average annual pay for a game designer in the United States is $130,000 a year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Game-Designer-Salary|title=GAME Designer Salary ($104,779 - Mar 2023) ZipRecruiter}}</ref>